The Rules Do Apply

**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**

    As I watch people gain greater power and position I watch as they believe the rules do not apply to them. They begin to take advantage of their position, they treat others one way and will not be held to the same level of accountability they are asking of others.

    For some reason I often function as if the rules do not apply to me. I especially take advantage of my position of "Mom".

    Then my kids call me out. It is not pretty, it is humbling and it is needed.

    Will I continue to hear it? Will my heart be soft to hearing their correction and exhortation? I hope so because the rules do apply.

**Sit quietly again for as long as is available to you.**

A Soft Heart

**Sit quietly, eyes closed and in silence for one minute before reading.**

    On a walk a few weeks ago with my children I found my prayer moving towards a prayer for my children. My specific prayer was this: “May they always have a soft heart towards you, God.”

    You see I know what it is to have a hard heart. A heart that will not accept love no matter what efforts are made, how hard the person tries. I know what it is to have a heart that rejects love. Being intimately aware of what a hard heart is my overwhelming prayer for my children is that they would have soft hearts, in particular soft hearts towards God. I pray they will always be willing to accept God’s love. I pray they would allow Him to gather them up and would rest in Him.

    What prayer do you have for your children’s hearts? What prayer do you have for your own?

**Sit in silence again for as long as is available to you.**